Ars Biologica Art × Science Residency — a residency from Ars Electronica with up to €24,000 in funding
An international art-and-science residency with one of the most substantial budgets of the season: up to €24,000 for a fee, production and travel. The programme is a joint initiative of Ars Electronica — Europe’s leading media-art institution — and České Budějovice, European Capital of Culture 2028. The residency results in a new work for the Ars Biologica festival in spring 2028.
About Ars Electronica
The programme’s weight comes from the name behind it: Ars Electronica — an international institution based in Linz (Austria) that has worked at the intersection of art, technology and society since 1979. It runs an annual festival, the prestigious Prix Ars Electronica, the Ars Electronica Center museum with its Deep Space 8K hall, and the Futurelab research laboratory. The line “Ars Electronica resident” in a biography is recognised across the media-art world.
The programme’s second pillar is České Budějovice (Czech Republic), European Capital of Culture 2028: Ars Biologica is billed as one of the key projects in its programme. The partners are the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, the ECoC 2028 organising committee and Ars Electronica itself; there is backing at the level of the Czech Ministry of Culture and the region.
The theme and how the residency works
The theme is soil and aquatic-ecosystem microorganisms, climate challenges, water and sustainable agriculture. The selected artist or collective will complete three in-person stays of up to a month each (February–March and August–September 2027, March 2028) in České Budějovice, working with scientists and the Ars Electronica team. The outcome is a spatial work (not screen-based) for the Ars Biologica festival in spring 2028, plus a public programme.
What the programme provides
The funding is broken down by line:
— an artist fee of €6,000;
— a production budget of up to €15,000 to create the work;
— up to €3,000 for travel and per diems;
— accommodation during the residency months is covered separately.
Who can apply
Applications are open to artists, designers and collectives of any nationality, aged 18 and over, with at least 5 years of professional practice (with a documented body of work) and experience of interdisciplinary art × science collaborations and community work. One key condition: the organisers require the right to work and move within the EU — this is not a ban by citizenship, but applicants without a European residence permit or work visa need to sort this out before applying.
Selection has two stages: 3–5 finalists are invited to interview, and two are chosen. The criteria are originality, impact on the local community, portfolio quality and how feasible the project is.
Why it’s worth your attention
This is not a classic “time and a desk” residency but a full production commission: the programme pays for the creation of a new work and guarantees that it will be shown at a European Capital of Culture festival — a rare combination of budget, scientific partnership and venue. On top of that, the Ars Electronica name on a CV builds international reputation.
To be honest about what to expect: the programme is spread over two years, with three trips to the Czech Republic, so you need a flexible schedule. It will not suit those with no interest in science and ecology, or anyone who works only in screen-based and digital formats — what’s expected here is a spatial, physical work.
How to apply
You apply online through the Ars Electronica form: a portfolio, a project proposal within the theme, and evidence of experience in interdisciplinary work. It’s worth checking the full list of required materials on the official page before applying — the criteria and requirements are set out there in detail.
The application deadline is 28 September 2026.
